Paris, January 31, 2023 – The independent renewable energy producer Qair welcomes Bpifrance as a new shareholder to accelerate its development in France and internationally.
Qair develops, owns, and operates projects within 20 countries across Europe, Brazil, and Africa. Its 550 employees operate 1 GW of installed capacity of which 75% wind and are developing a 30 GW pipeline. The Group’s portfolio is focused on a wide range of renewable sectors including both proven (onshore and offshore wind, solar, energy from waste and hydropower) and innovative (floating wind, battery storage, green hydrogen, tidal power) technologies.
In France, Qair’s teams are developing more than 1 GW of onshore and offshore floating wind, solar, tidal and renewable hydrogen projects within its 7 offices in Montpellier, Paris, Port-La Nouvelle, Lyon, Nantes, Reims and Limoges.
Bpifrance, which is strongly committed to the development of renewable energies, notably through its Climate Plan, has been investing significantly in this sector since its creation. With this investment, Bpifrance joins the funding round initiated by DIF Capital Partners to support the acceleration of Qair’s development on both French and international markets, together with the historical shareholders Jean Marc Bouchet, the group’s managers and RGREEN INVEST.
Louis Blanchard, Qair’s Chairman, said: “Qair’s partners and teams are delighted to welcome Bpifrance and continue a story started in 2015 . We are convinced that Bpifrance’s support will strengthen our ability to rapidly develop innovative and quality projects, and thus contribute to the essential acceleration of the energy transition, particularly in France and Europe.”
José Gonzalo, Executive Director, Direct Investment at Bpifrance, added: “We are delighted to support Qair at a key stage in its development, led by a team with whom we are pleased to be working again. This investment is at the heart of Bpifrance’s mission as a climate bank, to promote the energy and environmental transition and support French renewable energy players in their development in Europe and worldwide.“
Qair was advised by August Debouzy, 8 advisory, PwC and Taylor De Jongh France. Bpifrance was advised by BDGS and Deutsche Bank.
[1] Bpifrance supported Quadran, the group formed from the 2013 merger of JMB Énergie and Aérowatt, until the sale of its French assets in 2017. Quadran International is renamed Qair in 2019.
About Qair
Qair is an independent renewable energy producer developing, financing, building, and operating solar, onshore and offshore wind, hydroelectric, tidal energy, energy-from-waste and green hydrogen production and storage projects.
With more than 1 GW of capacity in operation or under construction, the group’s 550 employees are developing a portfolio pipeline of 30 GW in 20 countries across Europe, Latin America and Africa. Our ambition is to become an independent global leader in responsible energy.
Qair, a floating offshore wind forerunner in France
Eolmed, Qair’s 30 MW floating wind farm off the coast of Port-La Nouvelle is currently under construction and will be commissioned in 2024. This pilot project paves the way for the development of the first French floating commercial parcs, for which Qair is bidding for a total of 750 MW.
About Bpifrance
Bpifrance Investissement is the management company that handles Bpifrance’s equity investments. Bpifrance is the French national investment bank: it finances businesses – at every stage of their development – through loans, guarantees, equity investments and export insurances. Bpifrance also provides extra financial services (training, consultancy) to help entrepreneurs meet their challenges (innovation, export…).
For more information, please visit: https://www.bpifrance.com/
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Contact Qair
Group communication
communication@qair.energy
Contact Bpifrance
Nathalie Police
+33 (0)1 41 79 95 01
nathalie.police@bpifrance.fr
Sophie Santandrea
+33 (0)7 88 09 28 17
sophie santandrea@bpifrance.fr